Machine for making roofing and the like



y 29, 1956 A. w. KUETTEL MACHINE FOR MAKING ROOFING AND THE LIKE 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Jan. 14, 1955 J: INVENTOR.

N ALFRED W. KUETTEL May 29, 1956 A. w. KUETTEL MACHINE FOR MAKING ROOFING AND THE LIKE 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Jan. 14, 1953 INVENTOR. ALFRED W. KUETTEL AGENT y 1956 A. w KUETTEL 2,747,542

MACHINE FOR MAKING ROOFING AND THE LIKE Filed Jan. 14, 1953 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR.

ALFRgp w. KUETTEL AGENT May 29, 1956 A. w. KUETTEL 2,747,642

MACHINE FOR MAKING ROOFING AND THE LIKE Filed Jan. 14, 1955 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR.

ALFRE Q W. KUETTEL AGENT United States Patent O MACHINE FOR MAKING ROOFINGAND THELIKE Alfred W;'Kuettel;' Duluth; Minn.

Application January 14, 1953, Serial No; 331,140

' 3 Claims. '(Cl. 153-18) Thisinvention relates to amethodaandwrneans. for making standing seammetal roofing or thelike.

As is well knowma-good roof is a very vital part of any building. In order to obtain a good roof, one must use good materials and;=goodworkmanship, of course. Theperfect roof wouldbe'of; good material and have noseams or holes, however, it is not practical or possible to. provide a perfect roof, especially fora large structure. In other words, the fewer the seams in the roofthe better itis. Metal roofing comes closest to being Itheperfect roefingfor fewer seams can 'be'nsed with metal roofing.

One of the factors which has most control over the type'of roofinstalled on a building, howevenis its cost. Asphalt shingles have come to be generally accepted: as the best buy for the initial investment for the average buyer because they are relatively cheap. 'The present metal roofing, though much more durable, especially if paint is applied thereto at regular intervals costs materially more thanasphalt shingles to manufacture. Metal roofing must be made by hand tongs or brakes by highly skilled workmen who get high pay rates.

--Another disadvantage-of present metal roofing is that, because it is-made with hand-tongsor brakes, the seams are not straight and true audit is difiicult to assemble and mayleak at-the-seams slightly because ofthe irregularities in the seams.

*Another disadvantage of present metal roofing is that it can only be madein relatively short lengths by braking devices and it is impractical to use hand tongs for manufacturing under present high labor rates, and, with hand tongs, one is-quite limited in the shaping he can do.

,.Because=of-the limited lengths in which metal'roofing now can be made, cross seams are required to .seal the connection or 1 joint between longitudinally connected units. These cross'seams require extra forming labor, aswell as extra installation labor for all cross seams must be locked and soldered.

. Repeated expansion and contraction of the metal under changing weather conditions usually results in the breaking of thesoldered seam and-possible leaks at'the cross seams. These cross seams me'the most vulnerable part of present metalroofing.

In other words, metal roofing'up until now, has-not been priced where it could gain acceptance of the public, it has not had a neat enough appearance to be acceptable in any but rough construction wheredurability was the most important factor.

Asphalt shingle roofs will last from ten to fifteen years on the average, however, a metal roof will last indefinitely if painted atregular intervals. .In-spite of this comparative durability of metal over asphalt, metal has not come into general use for the reasons outlined above.

It is,.therefore, one-of my principalobjects to provide asmeans for making metal roofing and the like -of-the standing seam type which will overcome the presentdisadvantages of such roofing and thereby bring this type of roofing and the like into-more common use.

. Another. object is to provide a means for making standing seamnroofing andthelike in any length desired in a most simple, eflicienhand inexpensive manner whereby crossseams can beeliminated entirely-thereby eliminating a great dealofsinstallationdahonand expense.

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Another object is toprovide a'means-formaking material of thistype wherein'the' manufacturing-cost is reduced materially: as: welt as .isssthe. costioflinstallation of the material.

Another-ohjectis .to providea means forrmaking'standing seam roofing and. thelikewherebytthe: seams will be uniform and straight for easy installation andmore secure and watertight connection.

Another object is to provide a means for making "such material. provided with a. r1ailing:v strips. alongzoneaedge whereby .theinstallation of 'the material is. simplified; and extra attaching cleats or: clips are not. necessary.

Another object of myinventiomis torprovideameans for making standing seam roofing' and the like whereby same can be made on a production basistandi highly skilled, highly paidlahor is. not necessary for-.theirnaking of the material therebyreducingthe costbf-manufacture materially.

Another object is to. provide-such .materialrithatcan be applied with the good-workmanship necessary for a good-roof without highly skilled highly'paid'labor.

These and other. objects-and advantages of my invention will become more apparent as =.the description proceeds.

lathe accompanyingdrawing forming a part of this invention:

- Fig. 1 is atop plan view otamachineembodying my invention.

' 'Pig. 2 is a sectional view on.theline-'2.-2 Figs 1.

Figs. 3, 4,5 and 6 are 'elevational views of'someof the: successive roller. dies usedin. forming my. standing seam roofing andthe like in theirsuccessive order.

Fig. 7 is an enlarged view of'the finalldie used for one edge of the roofing showing the metal going through the die and the partsin exploded'relation for -clarity,:it being deemed apparent that in actual .practicerthe. sheet metal would engage the die, and the ribsformed by the dies would be of less width and engage the width governing gauge which is located therein.

Fig. 8 is a view similar to Fig. 7 for the opposite edge ofv the roofing where no width gauge is used as theirib is very narrow.

' Fig. 9 is an enlarged broken-sectional view showingthe die mounting that of the central roller.

Fig. '10 is an enlarged fragmental -view partly in section showing the means for guiding one edge of the metal into the final die.

Fig. 11 is a view similar toFigQlOshowing'the opposite edge of themetal.

Fig. 12 is a fragmental perspective view showing how a roof is formedwith metal made on my machine.

Fig. 13 is an. enlarged fragmental sectional view on the line 13'13 Fig. 12 showing how'the roofingis secured to the wood sheathing and howthe standing seams are secured together by means'of a pressed dimple, commonly referredto as buttonpunching themetal together. The ribs are here shown in their truephysicalrelationshipwhen in use.

Fig. 14 isa broken fragmental perspective'view' showing the material sh'own in Fig'. 10.

' Fig. 15 'isa view'similar to Fig. 14, showing the material shown in Fig; 11.

In the drawingsjthe reference numeral 1 broadly indicates a base,-which may be of any desired size, shape or dimension. A lower frame-A; composed of a, pair of elongated spaced parallel frame members 22; is rigidly carried on the base- 1; eachframe member having a'suitable thickness and height to receive and carried a plurality of bearings 3-, one'of which-is shown in Fig. 9. The bearings are mounted in opposite pairs; one of each pairbeing mounted ineach of the opposed framememb'ersf '202'wfith their axes atined '-r'eiationship soas' to'rota'tably "receive one of the die carrying shafts 4. The pairs of bear ings, are spaced along the length of the frame so that a plurality of shafts 4 may be carried in spaced parallel relation to each other across the frame.

A central roller 5, of uniform cylindrical shape through out its length, is mounted substantially centrally of the shafts 4 and is secured thereto to rotate therewith by a keyway, not shown or a set screw 6, forming a bed of alined spaced rollers5-5 which are securely mounted in their respective bearings' The rollers are so mounted that the highest point of their peripheries lie in the same plane.

The shafts 4 have one of their ends projecting beyond the frame to receive a drive gear 7, all drive gears being identical in size and number of teeth, of course. An intermediate gear 8 is provided between adjacent shafts 4 to drive one shaft from the other, and a central drive gear 9 is provided on one of the shafts 4 to receive power from any suitable motor, and thereby all rollers and shafts are driven simultaneously at the same speed and in the 1010 and are threaded into tapped openings in the inwardly towards the center of the sheet so that'the deframe members 22, as indicated in dotted lines, Fig. 2.

An expansion spring 1313 is provided on each of the assembly bolts 12 between the frame members 10 and the head of the bolt so that suitable tension may be applied to bias the frames A and B toward each other,

The frame B is provided with a plurality of bearings such as the bearings 3, arranged in spaced opposed pairs immediately above the bearings of the frame A to receive a plurality of shafts 4 similar to the shafts 4 and directly above each of the shafts 4.

A cylindrical roller 5 similar to the rollers 5 is mounted on each of the shafts 4', and the rollers 5 and 5' are of such size and so arranged relative to each other and to the shafts 4 and 4' that they engage each other when the frames A and B are in engagement with each other, as shown in Fig. 2.

A gear 7' is mounted on an extending portion of each of the shafts 4, whereby each gear "I" engages the gear 7 immediately therebelow and is'driven thereby so as to cause the rollers 5 and shaft 4 to rotate in the opposite direction to the rollers 5 and shafts 4.

It will be apparent from the above that an object which is placed between the rotating rollers 5 and 5' will be moved along in the direction towards which the adjacent surfaces of the rollers travel, and that as the object travels between the rollers 5 and 5', the bed of rolls carried by the frame B will be raised, against the tension of the upper rolls by the object passing between the rolls. Pressure will be applied to compress the object between the rolls.

It is to be noted that the central rolls 5 and 5 or the shafts 4 and'4 are spaced from the edges of the frame, and that a substantially cylindrical die roll 15 is carried on the shafts 4 and 4 adjacent each end of the rollers 5 and 5. The dies in the upper frame being female dies, in the device here shown and the dies in the lower frame in general being male dies. The dies are so made and arranged as to make successive treatments to a sheet passed from the front C of the device to the rear D of the device.

There are four dies to each pair of shafts 4 and 4, as

is apparent from the drawings. Each of the female dies has an annular groove, generally indicated by the numeral 16 thereinand fl e majority of their cooperative or male dies have an annular rib 17 thereon each of which ex:

tends into its respective female die groove.

The'dies have an inner end 18 and an outer end 19, and V the grooves and ribs are so formed, and arranged on the shafts 4 and 4 that the inner edges of the grooves 16 and ribs 17 of the dies 15 on each end of the shafts 4 and 4' lie ina straight line in the direction of travel of an object chine, the narrowing of the ribs and grooves being from the outer ends toward the inner ends of the die rolls 15,

that is the outer edges of the grooves and ribs of the dies do not lie in a parallel'pair of lines.

Another characteristicof the die rolls 15is that the diameter of the cylindrical inner ends of the dies 15 are the same as the diameter of the central rolls adjacent thereto so that a uniform gripping and driving effort is imparted to a sheet 29 being passed between the rolls throughout substantially its entire width. However the diameter of the cylindrical outer ends of the die rolls 15 is slightly less than the diameter of the inner end of the die roll.

This characteristic of the die rolls makes it possible for the outer edges of the metal sheet 20 to be drawn sired shaping of the metal can be obtained and still a central panel 21 is provided in the sheet having uniformly.

straight and parallel edges, the edges being bounded 'by ribs 22 and 23 upstanding from opposite edges of the" sheet, as shown. e

In the forming of standing seam roofing and the like a plurality of identical panels are formed, each having an upstanding rib along each longitudinal edge thereof, the rib 22 on one edge of the panels being wider than the rib 23 on the opposite edge of the panel whereby the panels may be placed in side by side relationship on the roof sheathing and the wider rib 22 will fit over the narrow seam 23 and the two ribs may be fastened to gether by means of a dimple impression 24 made simultaneously in the assembled ribs, see Figs. 12 and 13. This dimple impression assembly retains the panels in firmly assembled relationship and is referred to as buttoning in the trade. a

In my device, I provide means for forming both of the ribs 22 and 23 as shown, for cooperative assembly, in a most convenient manner wherein the seams are straight and true and no difliculties are encountered in fitting the rib 22 over the rib 23 even when panels thirty feet and more in length are used.

In addition, I provide a nailing strip 25 on one margin of each panel, adjacent to and extending outwardly from the rib 23 to provide a means for securing the roofing securely to the sheathing by means of nails 26 or staples or the like not shown.

The final dies used in shaping the roofing material are the female die E and male die F used in forming the rib 22 and the female die G and male die H used in forming the rib 23. In addition a combination width guage and guide 27 is used in forming the rib 22. The guage member 27 comprises a strip of metal of the desired thickness to control the width of the opening in the rib 22, the strip being of suitable length to extend within the groove 16 in the die E and leave sufficient room on each side of the guage to receive the metal sheet 2%) whereby the ribs size is controlled accurately throughout its length.

The guage 27 extends toward the forward end C of the device beyond the die E and between a pair of rollers 2828, supported on a bracket 29 attached to the upper frame. The rollers are placed in side-by-side relationship just forwardly of the die E. The rollers 2828 have their axles on which they rotate arranged in suitably spaced relationship whereby they provide room for the guage to extend therebetween and also room for the metal. The rollers 28 are not driven but are rotated by their contact with the moving sheet and serve to press the ribs 22 further toward their ultimate completed shape.

The guage 27 extends beyond the rollers 28-28 as well as beyond the die E and is supported by a bracket 30 attached to the upper frame. The foremost end of the strip or guage 27 is preferably rounded and bent or fiared outwardly slightly as at 31 to pick up and guide the leading edge of each sheet as it approaches the rollers 2828 and final die. It will be apparent that the outer edges of the sheet are being drawn inwardly as the sheet passes through the machine, and the guide 27 insures the sheets coming into proper register with the final dies, see Fig. 14.

The roller F is a plain roller, with no rib, the guide 27 takes the place of the rib.

On the opposite edge of the machine the final dies are G and H, and these latter dies are preceded by the roller 32 which engages the inner face of the rib 23, and the rigid guide 33 which engages the outer surface of the rib 23. Both the roller 32 and rigid guide 33 are carried on a bracket 34 secured to the upper frame.

The guide 33 has an arcuately shaped forward end which picks up and guides the rib 22 between itself and the roller 32 for further shaping towards its ultimate shape and serves as a guide to insure the rib 23 entering the groove 16 in the die G properly, see Fig. 15. In the final dies G and H, the rib 23 is made to be a very tight crease in the metal see Fig. 13.

As seen in Figs. 14 and 15, the ribs 22 and 23 are practically fully formed by the time they reach the final dies E-F, and GH respectively and that these latter dies put the finishing touches on them to insure uniformity.

At the forward end of the machine I have placed a fiat bed 35 on the lower frame and a flat guide 36 immediately above the bed 35 to insure the metals entering the first dies in a fiat condition, the bed and guide being relatively close to the first dies, as shown.

Fig. 12 shows a small segment of a roof with my material installed thereon to illustrate its use, and as is deemed apparent, any suitable length of material may be rolled in my device to suit the needs of the biggest roofs without the need for cross seams, which are costly to make and install and which are the most vulnerable part of any roof.

A roof of the material here made possible will last indefinitely with a minimum of service cost and labor, all that is required is a cost of paint at intervals depending on the climate and weather conditions.

It is to be noted that the cylindrical rollers 5 and 5 and the dies at each end thereof may be formed of one piece, that is, the cylinders can be elongated and the die grooves 16, and ribs, 17 could be formed therewith in a unitary part. However, I have preferred to make the dies separate members axially adjustably carried on the shafts 5 and 5, preferably by means of an elongated key 35 to provide positive driving for the die and a set screw 36 which secures the die in any desired adjusted relation between the adjacent frame and the cylinders 5 or 5'.

This arrangement permits the adjustment of the machine to the width of sheet to be rolled in a most efiicient and convenient manner without necessitating the changing of shafting 4, rolls 5, or the like.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is:

1. In a device for making spaced parallel ribs in sheets of metal for standing seam roofing, and the like, one of said ribs being located on each longitudinal edge of said sheets and the ribs of one edge of one sheet being adapted to be fitted over the rib on the opposite edge of an adjacent sheet and said device having a base, a frame carried on said base, and a plurality of shafts rotatably carried transversely of said frame, said shafts being arranged in vertically spaced parallel pairs: a cylindrical roller carried on each of said shafts, a die carried at opposite ends of each of said rollers, said dies being arranged to perform successive bending operations on a sheet of metal passing from the front to the rear of said frames and between said rollers, said dies having alined inner edges on each side of said frames whereby said metal is formed with a central portion of uniform width throughout its length, said dies along one end of said rollers being shaped to form a narrow rib upstanding from said sheet in inwardly spaced relation to the adjacent longitudinal edge of said sheet, said dies along the opposite end of said rollers being shaped to form a wider rib which will fit over said narrow rib, and means to control and assist in the final shaping of said narrow rib comprising a rigid guide carried by said frame, an arcuately shaped end portion on said rigid guide adapted to engage the end of a partially formed narrow rib and guide same into alinement with the final die, and a guide roller carried by said frame in slightly spaced relation to said rigid guide, said guide roller having its rotative axis extending normal to a sheet passing thereunder and having a cylindrical shape so as to engage the other side of said narrow rib opposite said rigid guide and assist in forming same in conjunction with said rigid guide whereby said narrow rib will be directed into said final guide in substantially finished condition.

2. The structure as set forth in claim 1 and a bend on the forward end of said gauge forming a guide to pick up and lead sheets of material into said rollers and dies.

3. In a device for making spaced parallel ribs in sheets of metal for standing seam roofing, and the like, one of said ribs being located on each longitudinal edge of said sheets and the ribs of one edge of one sheet being adapted to be fitted over the rib on the opposite edge of an adjacent sheet and said device having a base, a frame carried on said base, and a plurality of shafts rotatably carried transversely of said frame, said shafts being ar ranged in vertically spaced parallel pairs: a cylindrical roller carried on each of said shafts, a die carried at opposite ends of each of said rollers, said dies being arranged to perform successive bending operations on a sheet of metal passing from the front to the rear of said frames and between said rollers, said dies having alined inner edges on each side of said frames whereby said metal is formed with a central portion of uniform width throughout its length, said dies along one end of said rollers being shaped to form a narrow rib upstanding from said sheet in inwardly spaced relation to the adjacent longitudinal edge of said sheet, said dies along the opposite end of said rollers being shaped to form a wider rib which will fit over said narrow rib, and means to control and assist in forming said wider rib to insure its fitting over said narrow rib comprising a pair of rollers carried by said frame in spaced relation to each other in a position to receive said wider rib therebetween, said rollers having their rotative axes normal to a sheet passing through said machine and having cylindrical peripheries adapted to engage said rib on opposite sides thereof and to substantially complete the forming of said wider rib, an elongated guage member of substantially the same thickness as said narrow rib, means mounting said guage member longitudinally of said frame on one edge thereof intermediate said rollers and extending into the final die on said shafts whereby said rollers and final die cannot form said wider rib of less than a predetermined minimum thickness.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 455,621 Hicks July 7, 1891 726,691 Johnson Apr. 28, 1903 1,955,546 Ingels Apr. 17, 1934 2,144,572 Kentis Jan. 17, 1939 2,327,844 Johnston Aug. 24, 1943 2,370,702 Yoder Mar. 6, 1945 

